Philly Officer Shot, Suspect Killed in Hammer and Pickaxe Attack

A man was shot and killed after allegedly attacking a Philadelphia police officer with a hammer and a pickaxe in the city’s Overbrook neighborhood Tuesday afternoon. The officer was also shot in the leg during the incident. 

A 35-year-old officer and a 43-year-old officer, both from the 19th District, responded to a report of a person with a weapon in the basement of a home shortly after 3 p.m. 

When they entered the home, they were confronted by a 31-year-old man armed with a hammer and a pickaxe, police told NBC . The officers ordered the man to drop the weapons but he ignored their commands and walked toward them, according to investigators.

The 35-year-old officer used a Taser on the suspect. After dropping to the ground, the man got back up and rushed at both officers, police said. The officers then retreated out of the front door as the man continued to rush at them, according to investigators. 

The man then struck the 35-year-old officer in the head with either the hammer or pickaxe, knocking him to the ground, police said. The man then allegedly sat on top of the fallen officer and repeatedly struck him with one or both of the weapons.

The 43-year-old officer then pulled out her weapon and opened fire, striking the suspect multiple times. 

The 35-year-old officer was shot in the leg and is expected to recover. Police have not officially determined how the officer was shot.